Distributor bar for typographical machines



March 13, 1934. H, R FREUND 1,951,329

DISTRIBUTOR BAR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed May 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5/; 6 7 8 9 0 f4 EINVENTOR ATTORNEY March 13, 1934. H R FREUND 1,951,329

DISTRIBUTOR BAR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed May 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 q INVENTOR 1%rwya R Frau I762 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISTRIBUTOR BAR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES poration of New York Application May 24, 1933, Serial No. 672,690 In Germany June 1, 1932 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in distributor bars of the kind commonly used in matrix composing and line casting machines of the general class disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436, 532 granted September 16, 1890, wherein such distributor bar serves to support matrices by their teeth while being propelled along the bar by a set of distributor screws until they reach the respective points at which they are intended. to drop off the bar into the appropriate storage channels of the matrix magazine, an example of a distributor bar substantially as heretofore commonly used being disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 347,629 granted August 17, 1886.

The distributor bar as heretofore constructed has complementary sets of seven ribs arranged in pairs along its respective V-shaped sides, the ribs being arranged so that one or more pairs thereof terminate at each point along the bar at which a matrix is to drop off. According to the usual arrangement of ribs, Whenever a given rib of a set is terminated to release a given character, that rib is omitted until it is again required to form a supporting rail for distributing another matrix to be released at some point further along the bar. The arrangement of the ribs on the bar bears a definite relation to the combination teeth on the character matrices to be distributed thereby. For example, the combination teeth of the lower case 0 matrix character comprise the first four teeth, counting from the top, and this matrix is released from the bar so as to drop into the fourteenth magazine channel, and hence the bar must carry at least one of its first four supporting ribs at all points rom the beginning or matrix receiving end of the bar to the point at which the matrix bearing the character 0 is released. It happens, however, that all of the character matrices which must drop off the bar into magazine channels preceding the channel for the character matrix 0 are supported during their travel along the bar to their respective channels by one or more of the first or uppermost four supporting ribs of the bar, and since these character matrices have one or more of their first four teeth represented in their particular tooth combinations, one or more of the first four ribs or rails on the bar must necessarily terminate at certain points intermediately of the length of the bar from its beginning or matrix receiving end to the point of release for the character matrix 0. It will therefore be clear that the first or uppermost four supporting ribs or rails of the bar will exist only intermittently along the bar and that the matrix bearing the character 0, although it has the first four pairs of combination teeth, will not be supported during its travel along the bar by all four pairs of these teeth but, during most of its travel along the bar, it will be supported by only one or two pairs of its teeth.

Also, in the construction of the usual ribbed distributor bar, it may be noted that every matrix of a font of 90 characters is released from the bar at its particular magazine channel while supported by only one pair of teeth, regardless of the number of pairs of teeth the particular matrix may have, and it may be further noted that l5 matrices of a font of 90 character matrices are released from the first or uppermost pair of ribs on the bar, while only four matrices of the font are released from the fifth, sixth and seventh pairs of ribs.

While distributor bars as thus heretofore constructed have been generally satisfactory, they are not conducive to the best results with respect to the useful life of matrices which constantly circulate through the machine and the teeth of which are subjected to much wear incident to their supporting of the weight of the matrices during distribution, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a distributor bar of improved construction whereby the Wear of the teeth of the matrices is materially reduced or minimized, thereby increasing the useful life of the matrices, and to enable other advantages to be obtained by increased accuracy of distribution of the matrices.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved distributor bar having a full set of supporting ribs or rails at each side thereof at all points in its length except for the gaps of sufficient length to permit the respective matrices to drop from the bar into the appropriate storage channels of the magazine. A distributor bar having such an arrangement of ribs thereon will support each matrix while travelling therealong, except at the gaps or matrix drop-off points, by all of the combination teeth such matrix may have, as distinguished from distributor bars as heretofore used, which have enabled matrices having for example three or more pairs of teeth to be supported by only one or two pairs thereof, during their travel along the bar. In other words, the present invention, in effect, provides full sets of seven ribs corresponding to the seven rib system, beginning with each new rib combination on the bar, so

that each matrix will be supported on the bar by all the teeth with which it is provided, except at the gaps or matrix drop-off points, the matrix bearing the letter E for example, which has six pairs of teeth in its combination, being supported to its release point, which is about midway along the length of the bar, by all six pairs of its teeth throughout its travel, except at the gaps or drop-01f points in advance of the dropoff point for this particular matrix.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a distributor bar of the usual construction, showing the usual rib combinations and the corresponding matrix receiving channels;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the corresponding portion of the improved distributor bar, showing the rib arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the distributor bar shown in Fig. 1, on the line 3-3 therein and on an enlarged scale, and showing a matrix thereon;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the distributor bar shown in Fig. 2, on the line 44 therein and on an enlarged scale, and showing a matrix thereon;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the length of the distributor bar corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 but showing a modification of the ribs to suit narrow tooth matrices;

Figs. 6 and o show collectively the full length of a distributor bar embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View in elevation of a portion of the distributor bar shown in Fig. 2, but showing a modification wherein the ends of the ribs are stepped to facilitate engagement of the matrix teeth therewith.

Referring to Fig. l, which illustrates a distributor bar A of the usual construction employing the seven rib system, the ribs of the set being numbered consecutively from 1 to '7, and in which the combination ribs extend intermittently along the bar to form rib combinations arranged above the respective channels J which receive the matrices dropping from the respective rib combinations and direct them to their appropriate channels in the magazine, it will be observed that each rib after terminating is omitted until, due to some succeeding rib combination, it again becomes necessary for supporting matrices which are to travel further along the bar. Referring to Fig. 2 which shows a portion of the improved distributor bar corresponding to the portion of the usual distributor bar shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that in the improved bar, a full set of ribs is provided between all of the tooth combinations.

In carrying out the invention, it is not necessary to disturb the actual arrangement of the existing combination ribs on the distributor bar, it being intended to supplement these ribs by other ribs to the extent of supplying the entire 7 set of seven ribs which comprise the complete rib combination system of such bars. The addition of such supplementary ribs to the bar will however entail a corresponding extension of the length of the existing ribs between ad- 1 jacent rib combinations, whereby such extension of existing ribs, together with the supplementary ribs between adjacent rib combinations, will provide a full set of ribs uniformly throughout the length of the bar except for a gap at each existing release point along the bar sufiiciently long to permit the matrix to drop oif the bar. A comparison of the improved distributor bar A shown in Fig. 2 with the usual distributor bar shown in Fig. 1 will show that in the improved bar the existing ribs have been retained in their same respective locations, but each of the ribs existing on the usual bar have been extended, in the improved bar, toward the left in Fig. 2 or toward the matrix receiving end of the bar. For example, the portion B of No. l rib as shown in Fig. 2 has been extended toward the left in that figure toward the portion of this rib, such extension of the rib portion B filling in a substantial portion of the gap heretofore existing between the corresponding rib portions B and C as shown in Fig. l, the extension of the rib portion B leaving a gap of only such length between it and the rib portion C as may be needed to permit the teeth on a matrix to pass therethrough when such matrix is released. In Fig. 5, the portion B of No. 1 rib corresponding to rib portion B in Fig. 2 is extended toward the left or toward the rib portion 0 corresponding to the rib portion C in Fig. 2, to an even greater extent than the extension of the rib portion B, such being possible on distributor bars intended especially for use with matrices having relatively narrow combination teeth as shown on the matrix M in Fig. as distinguished from matrices having relatively Wide teeth as shown on the matrix M in Fig. 2, the distributor bar shown in Fig. 2 being adapted for use with such wide tooth matrices. Ihe other existing rib portions on the usual distributor bar will be extended toward the left or toward the matrix receiving end of the distributor bar, according to the present invention, in the same manner described respect ing the extension of the rib portion B or B The present invention, however, comprises much more than the mere extension or elongation of the existing portions of the ribs of the usual or ordinary distributor bar, it providing supplementary ribs which are added to the bar between all rib combinations wherever there is a gap between existing ribs that is not filled in by the above described leftward extensions of existing ribs. Thus it will be seen from Fig. 2 that portions D, E and F of ribs Nos. 4, 5 and 6 of the seven rib system have been added to the bar and, similarly, portions G, H and I of ribs 3, 4 and 6 of the seven rib system have been added upon the length of the bar, these added or supplementary ribs extending leftward from the terminations corresponding to matrix release points of the existing ribs on the bar to points corresponding to the leftward extremities of extensions of the respective existing ribs according to the present invention, as for example, the leftward extremities of the ribs B and B Fig. 2, which are extended beyond the corresponding existing ribs 13 and B Fig. 1. It will be seen that these additional ribs D, E, F, G, H and I provided on the improved bar fill in otherwise blank or unribbed areas of the usual distributor bar as shown in Fig. 1 and thus provide a full set of seven ribs on each side of the bar between adjacent gaps or release points. In other words, the addition of the ribs D, E, F, G, H and I and corresponding ribs between adjacent gaps or release points throughout the length of the bar, as will be seen from Figs. 6 and 6 and as accomplished according to the present invention, provides the bar with a full set of seven ribs on each side thereof succeeding each release point along the bar, so that, in effeet, the bar commences anew immediately after the termination of each matrix releasing combination. The provision of these additional ribs and the extended portions of existing ribs, in accordance with the present invention, provides a materially increased supporting and carrying surface on the distributor bar for the transporting of the matrices along it. For example, a matrix bearing the character E? and having pairs of combination teeth comprising the first six of the set, as shown in Fig. i, will be supported by all six pairs of its opposed teeth on the improved distributor bar shown in Fig. 2, over the greater portion of its travel along the bar from the left or starting end thereof, in Fig. 6, to a point substantially midway of the length of the bar, that is, to the matrix receiving channel designated E in Fig. 6 where this matrix is ordinarily released, Fig. 4 showing the manner in which such matrix is supported on the improved bar on the section indicated 4-4 in Fig. 2, as distinguished from the usual distributor bar as heretofore made, wherein, as will be seen from 3, such matrix bearing the character IE will be supported on the usual distributor bar, Fig. i, only by the third pair of teeth at the point on the usual bar represented by the section 3-3 in Fig. l, and at other points along the usual distributor bar, this matrix will be supported one, two or more pairs of its teeth but all of its teeth will not be engaged by ribs at the same time at any point along the ordinary distributor bar.

Since the matrices of a font, comprising 90 diiferent characters and having special tooth combinations, have one or more pairs of oppositely disposed teeth, it will be apparent that when these matrices are transported along the improved bar, all of the teeth that a particular matrix may have will engage with corresponding ribs on the bar over the greater portion of the length thereof, so that the weight of the matrix will be distributed among its several pairs of teeth rather than confined to only one or two pairs thereof. Such improved distributicn of the weight of the matrices among the pairs of teeth with which they are provided will reduce the amount of wear of the matrix teeth and thereby appreciably increase the useful life the matrices.

it is desirable of course to provide the additional ribs, such as the ribs D, E, F, G, H and I and the corresponding extensions of existing ribs on the bar, of the maximum length possible, and in order to acconnnodate the bar to the standard matrices now in use having both narrow and wide teeth, it is preferable that the additional ribs and extended portions of existing ribs reach at least midway across the portions of the bar overlying the respective channels J which the mat ices must enter when released from the as shown in ,Fig. 2. In Fig. 5, which shows the improved distributor bar con structed for use in connection with narrow tooth matrices only, such as the matrix 'l\ the additionai or supplemental ribs, such as those designated D, E and F, and G, H and I, and the extensions of the existing ribs, such as the ribs B and B preferably reach to an even greater extent across the portions of the distributor bar overlying the respective matrix receiving channels J.

Fig. '7 shows a modified form of the invention wherein the additional or supplemental ribs,

such as those designated D E and F and G H and 1 as well as the extensions of existing ribs, such as the ribs B B and B have their starting points or ends in uniformly stepped relation. By this arrangement, the teeth on a matrix travelling along the bar will come into engagement with the respective ribs progressively or one at a time instead of simultaneously, with the advantage that the teeth will engage the ribs more smoothly.

The supplemental ribs are added to the bar to provide, in conjunction with the existing ribs thereon, a full set of ribs at each side of the bar between adjacent gaps or rib combinations thereon, not only along the portions of the length of the bar where the existing ribs are extended toward the left or matrix receiving end thereof as hereinbefore described, but also at all other points along the bar which are between adjacent gaps or rib combinations, as exemplified by the supplemental ribs K, L, N and 0, so that each matrix, during its travel along the improved distributor bar, as shown complete in Figs. 6 and o will be supported by a number of pairs of ribs on the bar equal to the number of pairs of teeth on such matrix, except at the gaps or rib combinations for the release of the matrices.

The present invention will not only reduce the amount of wear on the teeth of the matrices the manner hereinbefore noted but it has the further advantage of providing improved distribution of the matrices, due to the fact that each matrix, when released from the bar, will drop oif the ends of as many ribs thereon as are in engagement with the teeth of the matrix, with the result that the matrix will have a more accurate vertical drop from the bar. On the ordinary 90 combination bar as heretofore used, every matrix is engaged with only one pair of ribs on the bar when it reaches its release point. which are in engagement with the bar at the release point happen to be an upper pair, the depending or suspended weight of the matrix body will cause the matrix to swing slightly out of a true vertical plane, Whereas if the matrix is released from a pair of the lower or bottom ribs of the bar, such tendency of the matrix to swing out of vertical will be reduced. By releasing a matrix from several pairs of ribs on the bar, including all of the ribs for which there are corresponding teeth on the matrix, as provided for by the present invention, the tendency of a matrix to swing out of vertical when released is practically eliminated.

I claim as my invention:

1. A distributor bar for matrix composing and line casting machines having parallel longitudinal ribs to carry correspondingly toothed matrices and certain of which ribs are interrupted at the matrix dropping points, all of the ribs being continued between the matrix dropping points to provide a carrying surface for all the teeth present on any matrix.

2. A distributor bar according to claim 1, wherein the ribs beyond the matrix dropping points are extended forwardly to an extent to reduce the rib gaps to a width just sufiicient for the escape of the matrix teeth.

3. A distributor bar for matrix composing and line casting machines having parallel longitudinal ribs to carry correspondingly toothed matrices and which are interrupted at the matrix dropping points, the ribs interrupted at the If the teeth of the matrix matrix dropping points being continued beyond said points and the ribs being provided between the matrix dropping points in such number as to support all existing teeth on the matrices, the ribs beyond the matrix dropping points extending forwardly different distances and being engageable, one after the other, with the matrix teeth.

4. A distributor bar for matrix composing and line casting machines having longitudinally extending matrix supporting ribs interrupted at different points along the length of the bar to form rib combinations for controlling the dropping of matrices therefrom, and supplemental matrix supporting ribs on the bar between said rib combinations and forming continuation-s of said interrupted ribs.

5. A dfstributorbar formatrix composing and line casting machines having a set of longitudinally extending matrix supporting ribs, different ribs of the set being interrupted at different points along the length of the bar to form rib combinations for controlling the dropping of matrices therefrom, and supplemental matrix supporting ribs on the bar between said rib combinations, the supplemental ribs between adjacent rib combinations being of a number suficient to provide on the bar between said rib combinations matrix supporting ribs equal in number to the number of ribs composing the full set of ribs on the bar.

6. A distributor bar for matrix composing and line casting machines having longitudinally extending matrix supporting ribs interrupted at different points along the length of the bar to form gaps constituting rib combinations for releasing the matrices and continuing at irregular intervals beyond said gaps, the ribs continued beyond the gaps being extended forwardly toward the matrix receiving end of the bar to an extent which reduces said gaps substantially to the width of the matrix teeth, and supplemental matrix supporting ribs on the bar between said rib combinations, said supplemental ribs extending forwardly to the same extent as the forward extension of said continued ribs.

'7. A distributor bar for matrix composing and line casting machines having a set of longitudinally extending matrix supporting ribs, different ribs of the set being interrupted at different points along the length of the bar to form gaps constituting rib combinations for releasing the matrices, said interrupted ribs being continued beyond said gaps and being extended forwardly toward the matrix receiving end of the bar to an extent which reduces said gaps substantially to the width of the matrix teeth, and supplemental matrix supporting ribs on the bar between said gaps, said supplemental ribs being of a number sufiicient to provide on the bar between said gaps matrix supporting ribs equal in number to the number of ribs composing the full set of ribs on the bar and extending forwardly to points corresponding to the forward extension of said continued ribs.

HERMAN R. FREUND. 

